Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1887-02-12

what she ought TO wear on the wedding
day; she could even try privately
how her new signature, "Issbel Hardy
man." would look when she had the
right TO use It. On the whole, It may be said
that the time passed smoothly, with some
occasional checks and drawbacks, which
were the more easily endured seeing that
they took their rise in Isabel's own conduct
Compliant as she was in general there were
two instances, among others, in which her
resolution TO take her own way was not to
be overcome. She refused to write either to
Moody or to Lady Lydiard informing them
OF her engagement, and she steadily dis
approved Of Miss Pink's policy of conceal
ment in the matter of the robbery at Lady
Lydiard's house. Her aunt could only secure
her as a passive accomplish by stating
family considerations in the strongest posi-
bic terms "lf the disgrace was confined to
you, my dear, / might leave you to decide
But am involved in it, as your nearest rela-
tive; and, what is more, even the sacred
memories Of your father and mother might
feel the slur cast on them" This exaggerated
language-like all exaggerated language, a
mischievous weapon in the arsenal of weak
ness and prejudice-had its effect ON Isabel.
Reluctantly and sadly she consented to be
silent.
Miss Pink wrote word of the engagement
TO Moody first, reserving to a later day the
superior pleasure Of informing Lady Lydi-
ard of the very event which that audacious
woman had declared to be impossible To
her aunt's surprise, just as she was about to
close the envelope, Isabel stepped forward,
and inconsistency requested leave to add a
postscript to the very letter which she had
refused to write Miss Pink was not even
permitted to ses the postscript. Isabel Sc
cured the envelope the moment she had laid
down her pen, and retired to her room with
headache (which was heartache in dis
guise) for the rest of the day.
While the question of the marriage was
still in debate, an event occurred which ex-
ercised a serious influence on Hardyman's fu-
ture plans.
He received letter from the Continent
which claimed his immediate attention. One
of the sovereigns of Europe had decided on
making some radical changes in the mount
ing and equipment of a cavalry regiment,
and he required the assistance of Hardyman
in that important part of the contemplated
reform which was connected with the choice
and purchase of horses Setting his own in
terests out Of the question, Hardyman owed
obi cations to the kindness of his illustrious
correspondent which made it impossible for
him 10 send an excuse. In a fortnights
time, at the latest, it would be necessary for
him to leave England, and a month or more
might elapse before it would be possible for
him to return.
Under these circumstances he proposed, in
his own precipitate way, to hasten the date
of the marriage The necessary legal delay
would permit the ceremony to be performed
on that day fortnight Isabel might then
accompany him on his journey and spend a
brilliant honeymoon at the foreign court
She at once refused not only to accept this
proposal, but even to take it into considera-
ton. While Miss Pink dwelt eloquently on
the shortness of the notice. Miss Pink's niece
based her resolution on far more important
grounds Hardyman had not yet announced
the contemplated marriage to his parents and
friends, and Isabel was determined not to
become his wife until she could be first as
sured of a courteous and tolerant reception
by the family, if she could hope for no
warmer welcome at their hands
Hardyman was not man who yielded
easily, even in trifes. In the present case
his dearest interests were concerned in in
ducing Isabel to reconsider her decision. He
was still vainly trying to shake her resoll-
ton when the afternoon post brought letter
for Miss Pink, which introduced a new ele-
ment of disturbance into the discussion. The
letter was nothing less than Lady Lydiard's
reply to the written announcement of Isabels
engagement, dispatched on the previous day
by Miss Pink.
Her laiyships answer was surprisingly
short one 1t only contained these lines:
Lady Lydiard begs to acknowledge the
receipt of Miss Pink's letter requesting that
she will say nothing to Mr. Hardyman of the
loss of bank note in her house, and assign
ing as reason that Miss Isabel Miller is en-
gagged TO be married to Mr.. Hardyman, and
might be prejudiced in his estimation If the
facts were made known. Miss Pink may
make her mind easy. Lady Lydiard has not
the slightest intention of taking Mr.. Hardy
man into her confidence on the subject Of her
domestic affairs. With regard to the pro-
posed marriage, Lady Lydiard casts no
doubt on Miss Pinks perfect sincerity and
good faith; but, at the same time, she posi-
lively declines to believe that Mr.. Hardyman
means to make Miss Isabel Miller his wife.
Lady L. viii yield to the evidence of prop
erly attested certifcate-and to nothing
else"
A folded piece Of paper, directed to Isabel,
dropped out Of this characteristic letter as
Miss Pink turned from the first page to the
second. Lady Lydiard addressed her adopted
daughter in these words:
81 was on the point Of leaving home to
visit you again, when l received your aunt's
letter. My poor, deluded child, no words
can tell how distressed am about you You
are already sacrificed to the folly of the most
foolish woman living. For Gods sake, take
care you do not fall victim next to the
designs of prohigate man! Come to me
irAtantly, Isabel, and promise to take care
Of you"
Fortified by these letters, and aid d by
Miss Pink's indignation, Hardyman pressed
his proposal on Isabel with renewed resolu.
ton She made no attempt to combat his
arguments-she only held firmly by her de-
cision. Without some encouragement from
Hardyman's father and mother she still
steadily refused to become his wife. lr i
tated already by Lady Lydiard's letters,
he lost the self-command which so eminently
distinguished him in the ordinary affairs Of
life, and showed the domineering and des-
potic temper which was an inbred part OF
his disposition. Isabeps high spirit at once